With the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team taking the wraps off their challenge for the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, it was a chance to see new recruit Nicolo Bulega as a factory Ducati rider for the first time at a team launch. At the incredible event in Madonna di Campiglio, the #11 spoke about his feelings about being a rookie in WorldSBK, his impressive speed at the Jerez test last year and where he’s looking to make gains throughout the upcoming test days before jetting off to Australia.
“IT’S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR ME”: Bulega previews 2024
Bulega has already got his hands on the Panigale V4 R on several occasions, including at the post-round test at Jerez last year. He’ll be back on track this week at the same venue to continue his preparations for his maiden campaign, but the reigning WorldSSP Champion discussed the upcoming year at the launch. He spoke about his excitement for the year and what his plans are for testing as he looks to prepare in the best possible way for his first WorldSBK season.
Bulega said: “It feels amazing. It’s a good opportunity for me. I know it’ll be a very important year. I will try to enjoy this incredible bike and team and try to do my best. We go to Spain for the first test of the year. I think it’ll be very important to prepare me and the bike to have a good feeling for when we go to Phillip Island in a month.”
“I’VE NEVER TRIED A BIKE WITH SO MUCH HORSEPOWER!”: still lots to learn for Bulega
While 24-year-old Bulega has tried the Panigale V4 R, he is still learning to adapt as he looks to make a positive impression during his first WorldSBK campaign. Speaking in Italy, he spoke about how his lap time at the last Jerez test – which impressed teammate Alvaro Bautista – was set when he was “only at 80%”, while also expanding on what he hopes to gain from the upcoming tests before everyone heads Down Under for the start of the 2024 season.
The Italian said about the previous and future tests: “I was very happy. My lap time was good, and my feeling was good. But I was only at 80%. I was very happy to be fast and to be at 80%. I think I have a very good package and team so I will try to bring out all my speed and talent. I have to improve everywhere a little bit because it’s a new bike for me. I’ve never tried a bike with so much horsepower, so I need to adapt my riding style to understand it better. When you ride this very fast bike, you have to understand braking points, how to accelerate and pick up, and you have to adapt to this bike. I think I have to improve everywhere and try to be fast.”
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Source: WorldSBK.com